Traditional Braces – Hamilton
Aligning Your Child’s Smile for Success!
Not everyone is lucky enough to develop a perfectly aligned smile. Misalignment issues can lead to a variety of negative consequences, like low self-esteem, difficulty cleaning, and a higher risk of oral health issues, like tooth decay and gum disease. The good news is that we offer traditional braces to shift teeth to perfect alignment. To learn more about traditional braces, or to schedule a consultation for your child or teeth, give us a call.
Why Choose Hamilton Pediatric Dental Care for Traditional Braces?
- Orthodontics for Children & Teens
- We Welcome Dental Insurance
- Same-Day Emergency Visits
How Do Traditional Baces Work?
Traditional braces are made of small metal brackets and wires that are bonded to the front surfaces of the teeth. Then, a wire is used to connect the backets using small rubber bands. The wires are adjusted in tightness and orientation to move your child’s teeth gradually and gently to their desired positions. Traditional braces are securely fastened to the teeth, but you still need to be careful to keep them in good condition. This means that your child should avoid foods that are particularly hard or sticky in texture. Approximately every six to eight weeks, your child will return to the practice to have adjustments made in accordance with their treatment plan.
What Orthodontic Issues Can Braces Fix?
Traditional braces are popular because they can correct a wide range of misalignment issues. Here are some of the most common ones that we come across.
Bite Misalignment
If your upper jaw and lower jaw don’t come together as they should, this is a bite alignment problem. This can include overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites. In addition to taking away from the appearance of the teeth, bite problems make it more challenging to speak, eat, and comfortably move the jaw. Traditional braces, sometimes paired with elastics, guide the jaw into alignment for a perfect bite.
Crowded & Crooked Teeth
When the teeth are overlapping, crooked, uneven, or crowded, it can be easy for food debris, plaque, and bacteria to become trapped. This can lead to oral health problems, like gum disease, tooth decay, and infections. Traditional orthodontics can realign the teeth to be the perfect distance apart.
Gapped Teeth
For teeth that are too far apart, leaving gaps in the teeth, traditional braces can bring them closer together. This will help to prevent food debris from building up in these areas and causing issues for the teeth and gums.
Caring for Braces
When your child gets their braces, it is necessary to implement steps throughout the day to keep them in good condition. This includes:
- Brushing twice, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash daily
- Using a threated flosser or water flosser to clean underneath the wires
- Avoiding foods that are very hard or sticky
- Refraining from chewing on hard objects or using the teeth as tools
- See us every six to eight weeks for adjustments
Understanding the Cost of Braces
Dr. Rullo and his team are happy to help you navigate the cost of getting braces for your child with ease. We accept a range of payment options, including dental insurance and Healthy Smiles Ontario. After your child’s consultation, we can help determine how to maximize your savings and outline your financial options for you.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Traditional Braces
When it comes to the cost of braces in Hamilton, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The length of your child’s treatment will depend on the unique orthodontic concerns that they face, which Dr. Rullo will discuss with you in detail. Some other factors that can influence the cost of their treatment include:
- The complexity of their misalignment
- Whether they have bite problems
- If they require additional appliances, such as headgear, space maintainers, or elastic bands
- Their age
Professional Care as a Good Long-Term Investment
Nowadays, in an effort to save money, it’s not uncommon for people to turn to do-it-yourself braces or treatment options that they see online. These can be dangerous and ineffective due to the lack of professional oversight, causing more harm and leading to the need for more serious intervention down the road. When you invest in professional care from a pediatric dentist like Dr. Rullo, you can rest-assured that your child’s treatment will be overseen by someone who has received extensive dental training.
Does Insurance or Healthy Smiles Ontario Cover Braces?
If you have private dental insurance or your child is covered through Healthy Smiles Ontario, it is possible that orthodontic treatment could be covered by your benefits. This will depend on whether it’s deemed to be an essential procedure. If you have any questions about navigating your benefits, don’t hesitate to reach out to our helpful team.